WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumers may pay record prices for heating oil and natural gas this winter, according to a report from the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA).
Heating-oil consumers will see the worst price increases, with an expected 10.5% rise from last winter. Natural-gas customers can expect to pay 5% more, and those who use electric power to heat their homes and businesses are likely to see a 7% increase.
The federal government’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) says that forecasts point to colder winter weather, adding to the price pressures. The EIA will release an official forecast for winter heating bills next week.
Oil prices reached a record $80 a barrel last week; natural-gas prices also continued to climb. At the pumps, gasoline prices reached a nationwide average of $2.81 last week, the EIA says, 43 cents higher than a year ago.
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